Nozzle assembly setting gauge

Abstract

A nozzle assembly setting gauge for use in an oil burner to gauge the optimal operating distance between a combustion head and a nozzle. The nozzle assembly setting gauge includes a holder for engaging the nozzle assembly and a head having a cross sectional thickness which defines the optimal operating distance. A technician installs the nozzle assembly setting gauge onto the nozzle assembly and fully inserts the nozzle assembly into oil burner until a front face of the nozzle assembly setting gauge contacts the combustion head. Next, the technician indicates the position of the nozzle assembly at this fully inserted position. The technician removes the nozzle assembly setting gauge and re-inserts the nozzle assembly to the indicated position.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A combination of an oil burner and a gauging apparatus, said oil burner comprising a housing, a blast tube connected to said housing, a combustion head disposed within said blast tube, a nozzle assembly disposed within said housing and said blast tube, said nozzle assembly including a nozzle, said nozzle being an optimal operating distance from said combustion head, said gauging apparatus for gauging said optimal operating distance between said nozzle and said combustion head, said apparatus comprising: holding means for securely engaging said nozzle assembly; and   a gauge head having a front face and at least one cross sectional thickness, said front face including a geometry which allows said front face to contact said combustion head when said holding means is engaged upon said nozzle assembly and said nozzle assembly is inserted in said oil burner so that said nozzle is said optimal operating distance from said combustion head, and wherein said at least one cross sectional thickness defines the optimal operating distance between said combustion head and said nozzle.   
     
     
       2. The combination of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is solid cast from an oil resistant plastic. 
     
     
       3. The combination of claim 1, wherein said gauge head includes an opening which allows oil to be ejected therethrough from said nozzle. 
     
     
       4. The combination of claim 1, wherein said holding means further includes at least one slotted portion. 
     
     
       5. A method for positioning a nozzle in an oil burner, said oil burner including a combustion head and a nozzle assembly, wherein said nozzle further includes said nozzle, said method comprising: removing said nozzle assembly from said oil burner;   installing a gauging apparatus on said nozzle assembly, wherein said gauging apparatus includes a holder securely engaging said nozzle assembly and a head having a front face and at least one cross sectional thickness defining an optimal distance between said nozzle and said combustion head; and   positioning said nozzle assembly into said oil burner until said front face of said gauging apparatus engages said combustion head, said positioning being at a fully inserted position.   
     
     
       6. The method of claim 5, further including the steps of: indicating the fully inserted position of said nozzle assembly;   removing said nozzle assembly a second time from said oil burner;   removing said gauging apparatus; and   re-inserting said nozzle assembly to the indicated position.   
     
     
       7. The method of claim 6, further including the step of tightening said nozzle assembly at the indicated position. 
     
     
       8. The method of claim 5, further including the step of tightening said nozzle assembly at the fully inserted position.